Obsessed with 80

Last July I broke 80 for the first time.  It was an out of body experience.  I shot an even par 35 on the front side.  3 bogeys, 3 pars, and 3 birdies made for an exceptionally exciting even par score.  I shot a 40 on the back nine, doing everything possible to try to hold together a round in the 70s. 

Breaking 80 last year was a one time event.  Going into this season I wanted to break 80, and as the season has gone on, I've become obsessed with it.  I flirt with 79 contantly, shooting 80s and 81s on a regular basis, but I just couldn't crack 80.  I'd get to the last couple holes needing to par or make a long putt to shatter the big, bad 80 barrier, and I couldn't quite pull it off. 

Then, something magical happened on June 20th.  I shot a 74.  Four days later I followed it with another 74.  The following week, 77.  Two days after that, 75. Yesterday, a 76.  I've played 10 rounds since my 74.  Four of those rounds have been in the 70s.

The question is: Is this just a temporary hot streak or the beginning of more consistent lower scores? After I shot the second round in the 70s I started to believe that I could do it consistently.  It wasn't just a freak event.  I actually can do this. The surge in confidence that comes from breaking 80 has helped me stay focused.  I don't stand fearful over putts, worried if I picked the right line or if I will have the right speed.  I just look at it and think: "You can do this.  Just drain it."

The bottom line is that I feel more confident in my ability to play well, but its a shaky confidence because I'm still in uncharted waters for my golf game.  Let's hope I can keep it together!

I defeated 46 men to take the title!

On June 24th, I competed in my 2nd OGA tournament of the year at Forest Hills in Cornelius, OR.  I played a practice round the day before with 2 regulars. This helped me trememndously as I had never played the course before.  I knew which clubs to select off the tee, where to aim my tee shots, and when to stay below the hole, which helped me develop a solid game plan for the tournament. 

On tournament day, I started strong, with 2 birdies on the first 4 holes. I threw in a couple bogeys, but I remained even par through the first 14 holes.  After that I followed a bogey with a double bogey.  Then a birdie and another bogey and a finale par.  3-over 74 on a par 71. 

I didn't add up my score until the end and I was shocked that I went that low.  I tied my lowest score ever.  The question was: Is that good enough for first place?! I never expected to contend for first place.  My only goal was to play my best.
Our group was one of the last to turn in scorecards.  I turned in my scorecard, looked at the board and saw a lot of scores in the 70s but nothing below a 75.  As the last scores were written on the board and I saw that mine was the lowest, I was in shock.  Complete shock.  "Really, I just beat 46 other people - all men and several who are sub-5 handicaps - to win?!"

I've never won a golf tournament before, and I would have to say the highlight was beating 46 dudes.  "Sorry guys, I know your ego is brusied."  ;)

Check out the results here:
http://www.ghintpp.com/OREGONGA/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=90&archive=None&type=players